Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-04-29
MINISTERIAL ETHICS.
Some Interesting Points Dis
cuSSed--Funerals, Wedding
Fees and Exchange of Pull
DitS.

pits.
From Pittsburg Chroncle-Telegraph, April
%.
There was very interesting meet
ing of Presbyterian ministers at the
First Church this morning. Rev. A.
A Jackson presided.
The subject of discussion, minis
teriai Courtesy" was opened by Rev.
Fisher in an entertaining, clear-cut
address that made favorable impress
sion upon his bearers. He commenc-
ed by quoting saying that "Presby
ter is only priest writ large" and ad-
ded that ministerial courtesy is only
ordinary courtesy writ large. The
two professions of law and medicine
have very we'll defined code of man
ners by which all their reputable
members are guided The ministry,
which he thought could also be right
ly termed profession, could not be
so clear, or lay down rules so strict
ly. But still there was room for
them to stop and think about the
duties of ministers to each other.
First-Ministerial courtesy required
the upholding of one another. There
should be an esprit de core among
the servants of the church. He did
not mean that they should defend
each other only against the aspersions
of laymen or public criticism, but
when coming in contact with the con-
gregations of other ministers it was
clearly each ones duty to stand by
their brethern-to give them the
highest concentrations. In plain
words, to defend ministers behind
their backs. With regard to intru-
sion upon other congregations. MIR
Fisher said:
"It is unfortunately fact that in
the vicinity there is sometimes what
may be called q looseness of thought
in this regard. | have seen dispo-
sition to intrude upon others congre-
cations, and it is much to be regret
ted 1t is right, of courss, to welcome
and even to invite members of other
congregations to your church on GER
tain occasions, but where the line is
not clearly drawe we should be ex
tremely cautious. One OF the most
successful ministers in Chicago, who
is doing, and has done much good
work. is charged with this very fault
He invites and urges young men,
women and others to join his church,
not withstauding they are members
elsewhere Not a thousand miles
form Pittsburg- or at least not
hundred thousand-I have heard this
charged by the elders and pastor of
one church against those of another.
NV advise is to leave these things to
the direction of God, and we shall feel
that we have not only been courteous
but blessed Where people are dis
contented, and leave their church TO
come to you, they should be welcom-
ed, but not fostered in their discon-
tent. Tell them that you are glad to
receive them, bat do not desire to
know anything about their real or
fancied grievance. Even in receiv
ing them at all it will be we'll to ex-
ercise the utmost prudence and eau
tioD."
Speaking about ministerial courte-
sy in connection with funerals, Mr..
Fisher said that ordinarily the regu-
lar pastor of the family should be in
charge. When another minister is
invited to take part, he should place
himself entirely under the direction
of the regular pastor. He should not
prolong the services or seek 70 display
himself. He had sometimes seen the
the invited pastor take the all-import-
ant part in the services, and by max
ing them unnecessarily long defeat
the very purpose for which they are
held. He did not believe in it. With
regard to weddings the case was al
together different The BRIDES choice
of minister to perform the ceremo-
nv was supreme, and she had the
right to select any one she pleased.
The regular minister should give way
gracefully when some one else was
chosen, however much he might dis
like to lose the fee. Ministerial cour-
tesy could not coutrol that matter.
The speaker closed wilE few
words on exchanging pulpits, He
said that ministerial courtesy requir-
ed that the latest conner be invited to
exchange. Those who were longest
on the ground should have the right
to extend the invitation. Let minis
ters in all their dealings with each
other follow the golden rule, and
they would never do more than
their position in the church requir-
ed.
Several ministers present, after
praising Mr. Fishers succint ad-
dress, make remarks upon different
opinions advanced by him.
DR.. Purvis thought that ministeri-
al courtesy consisted, in brief, in be-
ing q gentleman.
DR., Bercom was very much pleas
ed with Mr.. Fishers address with
one exception The bride perhaps
had the right to name the pastor to
officiate at her wedding, bat he doubt
ed whether ministerial courtesy
would allow anyone save the minis
ter of her own church to accept with
out the latter's sanction.
DIR. Ormond in such cases always
addressed a note to the pastor asking
his permission.
DR.. j. L. Fulton opined that the
proper thing was to perform the we'd
ding and hand over the fee to the reg
ular minister, which he said was the
custom in many cases.
Rev. Baney said it depended very
much on whether the family had had
former relations and acquaintance
ship with the pastor that they desir-
ed to supersede their regular minis
ter
Rev. H. T. McClelland believed
that the funeral belonged to the fami
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